Consulting With the Therapist

Summary: Guidelines vary regarding consultations between therapists and parents, spouses, and Church leaders. In all circumstances, emphasis is placed on maintaining the client’s trust in the therapist to keep their personal disclosures confidential.

Parents of minor children (under the age of 18) may consult with their child’s therapist at any time. However, it is essential for the success of therapy that the child feels comfortable sharing everything with his therapist. For this reason, the therapist will discuss the child’s progress with parents in general terms, but will generally not disclose specifics or details of thoughts, feelings, or behaviors. Exceptions to this include:

If the client is at risk from his own or another person’s behavior or intentions

If the client intends to harm another person

If the client discloses having been sexually or physically abused

If the client misses sessions

Parents of adult children may speak with the therapist about their child, but the therapist will be unable to provide any information about the child unless the child has given specific permission by signing a release of information. If the parent of an adult child is paying for sessions, administrative staff will answer questions regarding scheduling, attendance, and payment of fees even without a signed release.

Spouses are strongly encouraged to meet with their own CGW therapist to gain an understanding of same-sex attraction, work through issues created by their partner’s same-sex attraction, and heal any concerns they may have from before the marriage. With permission, the therapists working with both partners will consult regularly to coordinate care. This is often vital to the continuation and wellbeing of the marriage.

With a signed release from the client, the therapist working with the same-sex attraction partner will consult with a spouse. However, the therapist will discuss the partner’s case only in general terms, but will usually not disclose specifics or details of thoughts, feelings, or behaviors.

Church leaders of our clients are encouraged to consult with the therapist with whom their member is meeting. However, such meetings are at the discretion of the client, and he or she must sign a release of information before consultation can occur.